Easy roll wheel adapter
A wheelchair mobility apparatus for use on one or more push wheels of a wheelchair that includes a substantially fork shaped member that straddles the one or more push wheels, the member having a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion pivotally mounts the member to the wheelchair and the second portion extends above an armrest of the wheelchair.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/625,088 filed Nov. 5, 2004 entitled “EASY ROLL WHEEL ADAPTER”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wheelchairs, and more particularly to an improved means for propelling a wheelchair.
2. Background of the Invention
The wheelchair is a device that enables disabled persons to achieve independence by allowing the individual to freely maneuver themselves throughout accessible destinations. The wheelchair consists of two large wheels in the rear of the seat known as “Push Wheels,” and two smaller wheels in the front of the seat, known as “Casters.” The push wheels are fixed relative to the frame of the wheelchair. The casters are able to pivot 360-degrees allowing directional control of the wheelchair. The push wheels are located on either side of the seat at 180 degrees from each other. The center of the wheel is perpendicular with the back of the individual. The casters are located near the individuals' feet, one to the right of the right foot and the other to the left of the left foot.
The push wheels have a ring attached to the outer part of each wheel. This ring is known as the “Hand Rim” and is slightly smaller in diameter than the push wheel. The hand rim is secured to the push wheels by a series of screws thus allowing the two to move simultaneously when force is applied to the hand rim by the user. The hand rim is offset from the push wheel by tubular spacers (standoffs) to provide clearance of approximately ¾-inch so that it can be gripped without interfering with the push wheel. The function of the hand rim is to allow the user to grip it with his or her hands and apply a force to rotate the push wheel in the desired direction to move the wheelchair either forwards or backwards. The hand rims are located so that the user can easily reach them with their hands while situated in a comfortable seated position. The user can maneuver the direction of the wheelchair by applying additional force and hence rotation to either the left or right hand rim.
The majority of hand-propelled wheelchairs in present use are equipped with these tubular steel hand rims. The cross sectional contour of the hand rim is circular of approximately ⅝-inch diameter. While generally suitable for their intended purpose of propelling and maneuvering the wheelchair, the standard hand rim has numerous disadvantages.
The relatively small diameter (⅝ of an inch) of the hand rim tubing section provides only a limited gripping surface for the user. Thus, when the user attempts to propel the chair in difficult situations, as when going up ramps, traveling on soft carpets, or traversing rough terrain, he or she often experiences difficulty and must resort to such tactics as placing his or her hands over both the tire and hand rim to exert sufficient torque. The limited surface area of the standard hand rim also limits the ability of the user to properly and safely control and brake the wheelchair while descending a ramp. Due to the hand rim's lack of surface area, the user often finds it necessary to wrap his or her fingers around most of the tube diameter to get a sufficient grip, and thus tends to get his or her fingers caught up on the standoffs. This problem is particularly acute when the user is descending a ramp.
Even assuming that the user is able to satisfactorily propel and control the wheelchair, and it can probably be assumed that this is the case much of the time, it is clear that mobility can be improved inasmuch as the conventional hand rim does not fit the user's hand in a comfortable manner, especially when extra torque or gripping action must be applied. Thus, a considerable amount of the user's effort is expended in gripping the hand rim rather than in applying torque to propel the wheelchair.
If the user of the wheelchair has restricted or little or no use of his or her hands, however, the conventional push rim does not provide a satisfactory means of providing a force sufficient to propel the wheelchair, even though such a person may be able to use his arms and/or his shoulder muscles. On many wheel chairs the hand rims do carry short push rods to help the user propel the wheel chair. These rods, however, are short and not optimally positioned.
Various other different propelling mechanisms have been devised to provide users of wheelchairs who have little or no use of their hands but do have use of their arm and/or shoulder muscles with a means to propel their wheel chairs.
On the market, there are some lightweight wheelchairs that are equipped with integral hand rim and wheel rim assemblies. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,938,738 discloses a combined hand rim and wheel rim for a wheelchair that is preferably formed from a single extruded section. The hand rim has a non-circular cross-sectional contour. This construction provides a continuous web between the wheel rim and the hand rim, thus avoiding the problem wherein the user's fingers get caught up in the stand offs. This configuration, however, has the disadvantage that it limits the user's gripping capability since the user's fingers cannot fully encircle the hand rim.
A different set of problems is presented for those users with partial quadriplegia and thus limited grip strength. A typical prior art hand rim for such users utilizes a circular ring, similar to a regular hand rim, having a plurality of radially or axially projecting handles or push rods that the user may push with his or her palm without having to grip the hand rims. These so-called “projection” hand rims are useful when required, but are heavy and relatively expensive. Moreover, they are extremely awkward and unsuitable for general use. The main problem is that the push rods easily become caught up on draperies, furniture, and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,199 discloses a system wherein the push rods are partially retracted towards the bottom of their travel, thus at least partially obviating this problem. This result, however, is achieved at the expense of the system's complexity.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved means for propelling a wheelchair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved means for propelling a wheelchair that requires less effort on the users part.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair propelling means that utilizes a cantilever action instead of the traditional gripping and rotation of a wheelchair's push wheels.
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a wheelchair mobility apparatus for use on one or more push wheels of a wheelchair. The mobility apparatus comprises a substantially fork shaped member that straddles the one or more push wheels of a wheelchair. The substantially fork shaped member has a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second portions. The first portion of the substantially fork shaped member pivotally mounts the member to the wheelchair and the second portion of the member extends above the armrests of the wheelchair.
In addition, the wheelchair mobility apparatus also includes a means for fixing the substantially fork shaped member in relation to the one or more push wheels of the wheelchair. When the substantially fork shaped member is fixed relative to the one or more push wheels, a user can impart motion to the wheelchair by pulling or pushing the second portion of the substantially fork shaped member. Furthermore, the mobility apparatus includes a means for actuating the fixing means.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for propelling a wheelchair. The method comprises the steps of positioning a braking member relative to one or more push wheels of a wheelchair. Once positioned, the braking member is locked into a fixed position relative to the one or more push wheels. After being locked, the braking member is displaced frontward or rearward in order to rotate the one or more push wheels and propel the wheelchair in a desired direction. The steps are repeated for the desired distance that a user wants to travel.
The various features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out in particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which corresponding components are identified by the same reference numerals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and parts, in which:
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a feasible alternative to the use of the hand rim propulsion design in the form of a device that can be attached to a wheelchair to create improved mobility. The simplicity of the design of the present invention is such that it can be very easily adapted to existing wheelchairs of both the foldable or rigid frame type regardless of brand or manufacturer. The present invention or mobility device enables a user to propel the wheelchair by means of a cantilever action as opposed to the traditional gripping and rotation of the hand rim. The “levers” of the mobility device provide the user with increased leverage, which equates to less force needed and thereby less strength needed to be applied by a user in order to rotate the push wheels and therefore propel the wheelchair. The present invention greatly reduces the amount of effort it takes to put a wheelchair in motion.
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The drive arm bracket 50 is depicted in
Referring again to
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The driver arm assemblies, 5A and 5B, are mounted through the bearing assemblies 14 to the full legs 6 and/or leg portion 6A by any attaching means, such as but not limited to nuts and bolts. Other attaching means will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Mounted on each driver arm assembly, 5A and 5B, are drive pads 5C. The drive pads 5C can be mounted to the driver arm assemblies using any attaching means, such as but not limited to posts 110 and screws 120, allowing the drive pads 5C to be laterally adjustable, that is so they can be moved towards or away from the push wheel 23. Additional mounting means will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The driver pads, however, may also be fixedly attached to the driver arm assemblies, 5A and 5B. In addition, the driver assembly 5 also comprises a spring or other resilient member [NOT SHOWN ON DRAWINGS] that is attached to the driver arms 15 causing the driver arms 15 to retract from the push wheel 23 when force is removed from the assembly 5.
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In one embodiment, the driver assembly 5 is actuated by a drive lever control assembly 4. As depicted in
In addition, the drive lever control assembly 4 comprises a locking brake assembly 27 as can be seen in
As depicted in
Operation of a wheelchair 2 using the mobility device 1 will now be described in detail. In order to place the wheelchair 2 in motion, the user must rotate the push wheels 23. This is achieved in the following manner. Once seated in the wheelchair 2, a user grasps the rubber handgrips 3 of both the right and the left device 1 or lever and positions the device 1 in a desired location in the guide slot 26. As previously discussed, each device 1 has a drive lever control assembly 4 attached in the vicinity of the rubber handgrip. To rotate the push wheels 23 and hence propel the wheelchair 2, the user grasps the drive lever control assembly 4 and depresses the lever arm 4B towards the rubber grip 3. This action causes the lever arm 4B to pivot around pivot point 18. When the lever arm 4B is pivoted or actuated, a cable 21 that is attached to the cable restraining means 145 of the lever arm 4B is pulled in an upward direction.
As depicted in
To propel the wheelchair 2 forward, a user positions both the left and the right mobility devices 1 towards the rear of the guide slots 26 without applying pressure to the lever arm 4B. Next, the user applies pressure to both the right and the left lever arms 4B in order to engage the drive pads 5C with the push wheel rim 23A. Once the drive pads 5C are moved into contact (engaged) with the push wheel rims 23A resulting in the mobility device 1 and the push wheels 23 being fixed in relation to one another, the user pushes both the left and the right mobility device 1 forward causing the push wheels 23 to rotate forward.
Once the user is finished pushing both devices 1 forward, the user releases pressure from the lever arms 4B and pulls the devices 1 back to their starting position and repeats the process for the desired distance. To propel the wheelchair 2 in reverse, a user positions both the left and the right mobility devices 1 towards the front of the guide slots 26 without applying pressure to the lever arm 4B. Next, the user applies pressure to both the right and the left lever arms 4B to move the drive pads 5C into contact with the push wheel rim 23A. Once the drive pads 5C are moved into contact with the push wheel rims 23A resulting in the mobility device 1 and the push wheels 23 being fixed in relation to one another, the user pulls both the left and the right mobility device 1 backward causing the push wheels 23 to rotate backward. Once the user is finished pulling the levers backward, the user releases pressure from the lever arms 4B and returns devices 1 back to their starting position and repeats the process for the desired distance.
Turning is achieved by only operating one mobility device 1 at a time or operating one device 1 over a longer distance or for a longer period of time than the other in the manner described above. That is, to turn left, only the right lever is actuated and pushed forward or the right lever is operated for a longer period of time. To turn right, the left lever is operated in the previously described manner. To turn in reverse, the same process is used but instead only one lever is actuated and pulled back at a time. Therefore, direction is entirely based upon which mobility device 1, the right or the left, is applying pressure or force to the push wheels 23.
Lastly, the mobility device 1 includes a braking system. As previously described and as depicted in
Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention and modifications thereof have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to this precise embodiment, and that other modifications and variations may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A wheelchair mobility apparatus for use on one or more push wheels of a wheelchair, comprising:
- a substantially fork shaped member that straddles the one or more push wheels, the member having a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion;
- wherein the first portion pivotally mounts the member to the wheelchair; and
- wherein the second portion extends above an armrest of the wheelchair.
2. The wheelchair mobility apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
- a means for fixing the substantially fork shaped member in relation to the one or more push wheels, wherein when the substantially fork shaped member is fixed in relation to the one or more push wheels, motion is imparted to the wheelchair by a user pulling or pushing the second portion of the substantially fork shaped member; and
- a means for actuating the fixing means.
3. The wheelchair mobility apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially fork shaped member has two full legs.
4. The wheelchair mobility apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially fork shaped member has one full leg and one leg portion.
5. The wheelchair mobility apparatus of claim 3, wherein the two full legs each have a connecting structure at a free end for connecting to the wheelchair.
6. The two full legs of claim 5, wherein the connecting structures are cylindrically shaped.
7. The two full legs of claim 6, wherein the cylindrically shaped structures comprise a set of bearings.
8. The wheelchair mobility apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one full leg has a connecting structure at a free end for connecting to the wheelchair.
9. The one full leg of claim 7, wherein the connecting structure is cylindrically shaped.
10. The one full leg of claim 9, wherein the cylindrically shaped structure comprises a set of bearings.
11. The substantially fork shaped member of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a shank for gripping.
12. The substantially fork shaped member of claim 11, wherein a rubber handgrip is disposed on the shank.
13. The fixing means of claim 2, comprising:
- a first lever arm having a first portion, a second portion and a middle portion, wherein the first portion is pivotally mounted in cantilever relation to a first side of the substantially fork shaped member;
- a second lever arm having a first portion, a second portion and a middle portion, wherein the first portion is pivotally mounted in cantilever relation to a second side of the substantially fork shaped member;
- a first friction pad attached to the first lever assembly at approximately the middle portion; and
- a second friction pad attached to the second lever assembly at approximately the middle portion.
14. The fixing means of claim 13, wherein the first and second lever arms are connected to a resilient member for urging the levers back to their home positions when a force is removed from the lever arms.
15. The fixing means of claim 13, wherein the first portion of the first and second lever arms is a bearing.
16. The fixing means of claim 13, wherein the first and second friction pads are substantially laterally adjustable with respect to the first and second lever assembly.
16. The fixing means of claim 13, wherein the first and second friction pads are fixedly attached to the first and second lever assembly.
17. The fixing means of claim 13, wherein the second portion of the first and second lever arms comprises a cable retaining means.
18. The fixing means of claim 17, wherein a first end of a first cable is attached to the cable retaining means of the first lever assembly and a second end of the first cable is attached to the cable restraining means of the second lever assembly.
19. The fixing means of claim 18, wherein an intermediate portion of the first cable is connected to a cable coupling means.
20. The fixing means of claim 19, wherein a second cable is connected to the cable coupling means and is disposed substantially 90-degrees to the first cable resulting in a “T” shaped configuration of the first and second cables.
21. The actuating means of claim 2 comprising:
- a body having a cable passageway at a bottom portion, the body fixedly mounted to the second portion of the substantially fork shaped member;
- a lever arm having a cable retaining means at a bottom end, the lever arm pivotally mounted to the body; and
- a locking assembly.
22. The actuating means of claim 21, wherein a cable is disposed through the cable passageway and fixedly attached to the lever cable retaining means.
23. The actuating means of claim 21, wherein the lever arm is in the shape of a hand lever.
24. The actuating means of claim 21, wherein the locking assembly comprises:
- a control lever having a guide pin protruding therefrom, the control lever pivotally attached to the lever body; and
- locking rollers disposed 180 degrees apart from one another.
25. The locking assembly of claim 24, wherein the locking rollers are movably mounted on the guide pin.
26. The actuating means of claim 24, wherein the control lever is in the shape of a hand lever.
27. The wheelchair of claim 1, wherein disposed above the one or more push wheels is a mobility apparatus movement limiting member.
28. The wheelchair of claim 27, wherein mobility apparatus movement limiting member limits a rotation and a lateral movement of the mobility apparatus.
29. The wheelchair of claim 27, wherein the mobility apparatus movement limiting member further comprises a fixing means to lock the mobility device in position.
30. A method for propelling a wheelchair comprising the steps:
- positioning a braking member relative to one or more push wheels of the wheelchair;
- locking the braking member into a fixed position relative to the one or more push wheels;
- displacing the braking member frontward or rearward relative to the wheelchair in order to rotate the one or more push wheels and propel the wheelchair in a desired direction; and
- repeating the preceding steps over a desired distance of movement.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 10, 2005
Publication Date: May 11, 2006
Inventor: Robert DeFrance (Poughkeepsie, NY)
Application Number: 11/150,359
International Classification: B62M 1/14 (20060101);